Adjustable table cover system

ABSTRACT

An adjustable table cover system for covering a table, the table having a circumference or perimeter which terminates at the table&#39;s lip. The adjustable table cover is provided with a sheet having a center, an outer perimeter and an intermediate channel region. The channel region is spaced at a greater radial distance relative to the table&#39;s circumference. The sheet has a table portion area between the channel region and the center and a skirt portion area located between the channel region and the outer perimeter. The table cover is secured by a securing means, such as a drawstring or an elastic ribbon, contained within the channel region. When the tablecloth is secured by activation of channel region which is radially spaced from the table&#39;s circumference, the skirt is vertically disposed relative to the table portion of the sheet

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable table cover system forcovering a table, the table having, a circumference or perimeter whichterminates at the table's lip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fitted coverings for tables, beds, and containers are well knownin the prior art. However, the increased use of outdoor dining andentertaining has created a need for a particular type of table covering.

[0003] Such fitted coverings found in the prior art are typically formedfrom a pliable sheet of material, such as paper, plastic, linen orcotton, that have an elastic or a drawstring on one of its sides. Theelastic and drawstring are often visible and not aesthetically pleasingto the eye. Specifically, the problem in prior art tablecloths is thatthere is no way to secure the cloth to the table and create anaesthetically pleasing environment for entertaining outdoors in abackyard, at the beach, or on the waterfront without using the typicalunsightly tools, i.e. thumbtacks, rocks, duct tape and plastic clips tosecure the tablecloth to the table.

[0004] Prior attempts to meet the need to secure a tablecloth can beseen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,363 issued to Juliana C. Jones. Thatinvention relates to an apparatus for securing a table covering to atable wherein the covering is easily releasable and convenient toengage. Various shapes and sizes of tables can be accommodated by anapparatus utilizing a series of opposing pairs of strips releasablyattached to a location underneath one edge of the table. However, aclose examination of the table and tablecloth, reveals the visiblestrips and the table's legs making it aesthetically displeasing. Anotherattempt to meet this need can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,748 issuedto Alfred J. Bilotti. This invention relates to table covers that may beadapted for use with table tops of different sizes. Again, while thisinvention secures the tablecloth to the table, it is not aestheticallypleasing because the drawstring is clearly visible along with thetable's legs.

[0005] Prior attempts to meet the need to create an aestheticallypleasing table covering, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,271 issuedto Jean Rountree. This invention relates to a swagged tablecloth havinga plurality of shirring tape members provided with pull strings forproviding the tablecloth with swagging as desired, allowing for easylaundering and flat storage. While this tablecloth is aestheticallypleasing to the eye, it is not suitable for outdoor parties since thereis no way to secure the cloth to the table other than by the methodsmentioned above (i.e. thumbtacks, rocks, duct tape and plastic clips).Another attempt to meet this need can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,489issued to Mitchell T. Kelldorf. This invention relates to a table coverthat is form-fitting over a conventional party table and the lowerperiphery of the bottom of the cover is secured at the feet of thetable. While the legs of the table are covered, the procedure to affixthe cloth to the table and legs is arduous. The table must be lifted andcontorted in various ways, thus subjecting the potential consumer topossible injury.

[0006] Two other attempts to create an aesthetically pleasingentertaining environment can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,802 issuedto Jana L. Hairston and Ryland Hairston and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,936issued to Linda Mae Nelson, Judith A. Van Essen Kenyon and Patricia A.Lloyd Hairston's patent is a table cover including a top and a side whenthe table cover is spread upon a table. An elongated panel includes aplurality of hanging loops there-along, and is configured to fasten tothe side of the table cover. This table cover is inconvenient in that itwould encompass a large amount of time to set up numerous tables forentertaining. Turning now to Nelson's patent, it relates to decoratablefurniture, and more particularly, to a new and improved furniture designthat provides for removable ultimate fabric decoration of the furniture.This is not practical for the average consumer in that in order toutilize this patent they would have to purchase all new tables andcannot use the ones they already own. The present invention allowsconsumers to affix the table cover system to any table the consumeralready owns, thus saving them money.

[0007] Also in the prior art, fitted coverings for other household itemswere uncovered, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,177 issued to Suzanne M.Etherington for sheet bedding construction, U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,437issued to Monta Sue Bryant for fitted covers for household items andU.S. Pat. No. 5,020,672 issued to Lucille M. Watts basket grasscontainer. While all of these patents utilize a drawstring to affix thecloth to the household item, none of them have skirts to cover thebottom of the household item.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for an adjustable table cover system thatis both functional and aesthetically pleasing for entertaining outdoors.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is thus a general object of the present invention to providean adjustable table cover system for covering a table, the table havinga circumference or perimeter which terminates at table's lip Theadjustable table cover is provided with a sheet having a center, anouter perimeter and an intermediate channel region. The channel regionis spaced at a greater radial distance relative to the table'scircumference. The sheet has a table portion area between the channelregion and the center and a skirt portion area located between thechannel region and the outer perimeter. The table cover is secured byeither a drawstring or an elastic ribbon contained within the channelregion. When the tablecloth is secured by activation of the channelregion which is radially spaced from the table's circumference, theskirt is vertically disposed relative to the table portion of the sheet.The present invention allows consumers to affix the table cover systemto any table the consumer already owns, thus saving them money.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings in which like reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table cover system affixed to atable according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a table cover system accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of a circular table cover systemdemonstrating that the radius of the tablecloth is greater than theradius of the table according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a rectangular table cover systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a loop underneath the table coversystem that can be used to attach a balloon centerpiece, in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relatesto an adjustable table cover system, illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, that canbe used for outdoor or indoor dining and entertaining. Although a roundtable and table cloth are shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in this respect, and thatthe adjustable table cover system may be configured so as to fit anysize or shape of table such as a round, square, oval or rectangulartable.

[0017]FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the adjustable table cover systemfor a circular shaped table, made of any suitable material such asplastic, cotton or linen, affixed to a table. As may be appreciated inFIG. 2 which is a cross section taken along lines A-A, a table coverbody or table cloth 10 is configured for installation over the table 12.Advantageously, table 12 has a circumference or perimeter whichterminates at lip 16 of table 12. Adjustable table cover 10 is providedwith a circular sheet 20 having a center 18, an outer perimeter R, andan intermediate channel region 22. Circular sheet 20 has a table portionarea 24 between the channel region 22 and the center 18 and a skirtportion area 21 located between the channel region 22 and the outerperimeter 20.

[0018] Intermediate channel region 22 is spaced at a greater radialdistance R relative to the table's circumference r. The channel region22 is preferably made of the same material as the cover's body 10 sothat the channel region 22 is a natural extension of the table cloth 10.Within the channel region a securing means, such as a sewn in elasticribbon 30 a or pullable drawstring 30 b in FIG. 5 is located within thechannel region 22. In this way when the drawstring 30 b is pulled so asto tightly and securely fit around the perimeter 20 of the table 12, thetable portion area 24 of the sheet is retained by the table structure.Additionally, when the tablecloth 10 is secured by activation of thedrawstring 30b in channel region 22 or by the sewn in elastic band 30 aboth of which are radially spaced from the table's circumference r, theskirt 21 is vertically disposed relative to the top portion 24 of thecircular sheet 20 covering the tables legs 26. In this way, thetablecloth 10 may be easily placed on table 12 so that the sewn elasticband 30 a or the channel drawstring combination 30 b may be activated toallow the tablecloth 10 to snugly fit around the table perimeter, whileallowing the skirt portion area 21 to be draped downward toward thefloor thereby covering the legs 26 of the table 12. Accordingly, thetable cover 10 may also be used as a table cloth for indoor tables suchas dining tables with the securing means effectively securing the tablecover 10 from slippage during use. In this way it become unnecessary toutilize clips, tape or heavy weights to prevent the tablecloth 10 fromblowing away in heavy winds. Accordingly, table cover 10 of the presentinvention is especially suited for use with outdoor tables, since thesecuring means secures the table cover 10 to the table top 12 and iseffective against strong winds and shields the table top from theenvironment.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, a slit 34 may be provided inthe center 18 of the table cover 10 to allow a loop or retaining portion32 to be pulled through the slit 34 to secure a balloon centerpiece. Theloop or retaining portion 32 may be heat sealed or sewn into theunderside of the table cover 10. In this way, centerpieces such ashelium filled balloons 36 may be tied 40 to the sewn in or heat sealedloop 32. The retaining means or loop 32 may be Fabricated out of thesame material as the table cloth 10. Accordingly, due to the engagementof the engaging means 22 around the perimeter of the table 10, thehelium filled balloons 36 are thus secured to the table 12. No neededweights such as paperweights to rocks need be utilized or affixed to thestrings 38 of the helium filled balloons 36.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable table cover system for covering atable, said system comprising: a circular sheet having a center, anouter perimeter, a skirt, and an intermediate channel region, saidchannel region spaced at a greater radial distance relative to saidtable's lip, said sheet having a table portion area between said channelregion and said center and a skirt portion area located between saidchannel region and said outer perimeter; and a securing means containedwithin said channel region and configured to secure said sheet to saidtable when said table is positioned within said table portion area ofsaid sheet whereupon said skirt is vertically disposed to said tableportion of said circular sheet.
 2. The table cover of claim 1, whereinsaid sheet has a circular shape.
 3. The table cover of claim 1, whereinsaid sheet has a rectangular shape.
 4. The table cover of claim 1,wherein said securing means is a drawstring.
 5. The table cover of claim1, wherein said securing means is elastic.
 6. The table cover of claim1, wherein said sheet further comprises a retaining portion accessiblethrough a slit in said sheet, so that a balloon centerpiece may besecured to said retaining portion..
 7. The table cover of claim 6,wherein said retaining portion is a looped ring.
 8. The table coversystem of claim 1, wherein said sheet is made out of a disposableplastic material.
 9. The table cover system of claim 1, wherein saidsheet is made out of a cloth material.
 10. The table cover system ofclaim 1, wherein said elastic band is sewn to said sheet at said channelregion.
 11. The table cover system of claim 1, wherein said elastic bandis heated sealed to said sheet at said channel region.
 12. The tablecover system of claim 1, wherein said sheet is made out of a plasticmaterial and said elastic band is heat sealed to said sheet at saidchannel region.